Success Rates of Dental Implants

Dental implant success rates depend on where the implants are placed, the condition of the patient's jaw, and the patient's health. The success rate for upper jaw implants is slightly lower because the tissue and bone in the upper jaw is less dense than the lower jaw. This makes implantation and osseointegration more difficult. Lower posterior implantation has the highest success rate for all dental implants.

Based on a 5 year period, the average success rates are between 95-98%.

Dental implants can fail for a number of reasons, usually related to a failure in the osseointegration process. If the implant is placed in a poor position, fusion between the bone and implant may not take place. Other problems that dental implants can develop include infection, fractures and the loosening of the crowns. Patients who smoke or use tobacco face a higher risk of implant failure, as it has a negative impact on the patient's healing process. Patients with compromised immune systems may also experience a higher failure rate.

Poor oral hygiene can result in peri-implantitis around dental implants, which is similar to how severe gum disease can form around a natural tooth. Peri-implantitis results in pain and inflammation of the surrounding tissues. If left untreated, it can lead to loss of supporting bone, loss of osseointegration and ultimately implant failure. Peri-implantitis affects 5% to 10% of implant patients.